Sometimes forgotten, sometimes disparaged, eggs are nevertheless a very interesting food, nutritionally speaking, even for the youngest children. But then, from what age can we give egg to baby? Is it an allergen? Is it equivalent and can it replace meat or fish? What are the recommended quantities? How should it be chosen and cooked? In what form should it be offered to baby? So many questions that I will answer in this article...
Nutritional value of eggs
Eggs provide proteins and lipids (=fats) in the same way as meat and fish. Egg proteins have a high biological value, i.e. they contain all the essential amino acids for the growth and development of your child. The proteins are divided between the yolk and the white. However, the yolk is more nutritious as it contains most of the calories, vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. The white, on the other hand, remains interesting thanks to its presence of vitamin B2. The lipids contained in the egg are essential because they provideenergy and essential fatty acids for toddlers. Don't hesitate to take eggs enriched with omega 3! Eggs also provide non-hemeiron (about 1mg/whole egg). As a reminder, this iron is much better assimilated if vitamin C (present in raw fruit and vegetables) is provided at the same meal.
Egg introduction and allergy
Indeed, egg is on the list of allergens to be introduced, which must be declared on food packaging. However, it is essential to give it when introducing proteins at the time of food diversification. In the past, it was recommended to give only yolk, but this is no longer the case. You can give your child the yolk and the white as soon as they are introduced,once or twice a week, but no more. The quantities to be offered are 10g from 6 months to 1 year (i.e. 1/6 of an egg), 20g up to 2 years (i.e. 1/3 of an egg), 30g up to 3 years (i.e. ½ of an egg) ... Like meat or fish, eggs are best presented at lunchtime. It should always be cooked thoroughly for the youngest children, i.e. for more than 10 minutes to be hard. For older children, it is recommended to take them extra-fresh if you cook them in a dish or boiled!
Did you know that?
- How to check the freshness of an egg? A fresh egg in the shell sinks in water, while an older egg floats! So don't hesitate to do the test...
- What is the meaning of the code on the egg? :
- FR00 = organically produced eggs and hens,
- FR01 = free-range hen,
- FR02 = ground hen,
- FR03 = Caged hen.
- As you can see, choose 0 or 1!
- How to store eggs? You don't have to keep them in the fridge, but at least in a cool place. It is not advisable to wash eggs because their shells are porous and this could lead to micro-organisms getting inside...
Egg and egg-based recipes (always offer well-cooked eggs in classic diversification and in DME)
- Hard-boiled eggs mixed with mashed vegetables and starchy foods in classic or progressive diversification: e.g. spinach and potato puree and mixed hard-boiled eggs
- Thin omelette or tortilla with kale or chard leaves
- Muffins, pancakes or blinis (savoury and sweet)
- Quiches, cakes, patties, vegetable sticks or croquettes...
- Clafoutis or flans (savoury or sweet), crêpes, cookies, boudoirs and other biscuits...
- For older children: fried eggs, boiled eggs, mimosa, rice pudding...
It is important to take into account the egg used in the preparations in order to respect as much as possible the weekly recommendations proposed above.
So, to sum up, if there's anything to remember from this article, it's that eggs are nutritious, easy to cook and also inexpensive, so don't hesitate to offer eggs to your baby from 6 months onwards!
Dietician - Nutritionist specialising in paediatrics
Source:
CIQUAL: https: //ciqual.anses.fr/ (July 2020)
